Žilina →
Martin
A short hop across the Strečno saddle. Žilina as a northern transport centre and Martin as a historic stronghold of Slovak culture, twenty minutes if there's no snow, half an hour in any other case.
What's on the Žilina → Martin route
The route runs along the D1 and a short section through Strečno. From the car you'll see Strečno Castle on the left, once guarding the flow of the Váh river, with a beautiful view of the castle cliff from the bridge over the river. The trip is just about 35 km and in normal traffic you'll do it in half an hour.
The route is heavily commuter-driven: between Žilina (University of Žilina, industrial parks, Kia) and Martin (Jessenius Faculty of Medicine of Comenius University, Volkswagen, military repair plants), thousands of people commute daily. The carpool fare is almost symbolic, €3–5.
Martin: the cultural capital of Slovaks in the 19th century
To someone from Bratislava, Martin might come across as just a medium-sized town in the Turiec region, but in Slovak national memory it occupies a place out of all proportion to its size. In the second half of the 19th century it became the centre of Slovak culture and learning, the unofficial capital of the national movement that resisted strong Magyarisation.
The National Cemetery in Martin is a unique place: about 300 graves of important figures of the Slovak nation, writers, musicians, scholars, politicians. The cemetery is divided into six sectors A–F and the area itself is today an in-situ exhibition of the Slovak National Library. Graves range from the simplest tombstones to elaborate authored works by Slovak sculptors and architects.
The Slovak National Museum in Martin was founded in 1893 as the Museum Slovak Society, with the goal of building a national museum and collecting items from the entire Slovak territory (ethnographic, archaeological, natural-science). Matica slovenská, founded in Martin in 1863, was for decades the leading cultural institution of the Slovak nation, dependent on financial support from the nationally conscious portion of the population.
More popular routes
Frequently asked questions
Which route to take, D1 or via Strečno?
The main route is the D1, which bypasses Strečno through a tunnel. The old road around the castle is longer and sometimes closed in winter, but in summer it's a beautiful slow drive along the Váh.
How much does carpool Žilina → Martin cost?
Most often €3–5 per seat. With regular commuting, lower prices among acquainted carpoolers are common.
What sights to see in Martin?
National Cemetery, Slovak National Museum, Museum of the Slovak Village (open-air museum in Jahodnícke háje). The city is also close to Martinské hole and the Veľká Fatra mountains.
Train or bus?
The Žilina → Martin train takes about 25 minutes (via Vrútky), ticket about €2. Bus is similar. Carpooling is comparable in speed. The advantage is when the driver suits you on pickup location (e.g. outside the station).